Two of Asia’s low-cost airlines, India’s SpiceJet and Singapore’s Tigerair, have signed a three-year inter-line agreement to provide greater connectivity to flights operated by both the carriers.
According to the agreement, customers travelling on SpiceJet’s domestic network from 14 Indian cities can enjoy seamless connection through Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (GHIAL) on to Tigerair’s Singapore-bound flights starting from January 6, 2014. GHIAL will provide a free porter service to facilitate the collection and transfer of checked-in baggage for passengers travelling on connecting flights between the two airlines.
The 14 cities are Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa, Indore, Mangalore, Madurai, Pune, Bengaluru, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam.
An introductory promotional offer, starting from Rs. 4,699 one way (all inclusive) and return starting from Rs.9,998 (all inclusive) began on Monday.
From January 12, 2014, Tigerair customers from Singapore will also enjoy easy access to Spicejet’s wide domestic network.
Announcing the agreement at a press conference here on Monday, Spicejet Limited Chief Operating Officer Sanjiv Kapoor said SpiceJet was the first Indian low-fare airline to establish such an arrangement with a foreign airline.
Replying to questions, he said SpiceJet was expected to turn around financially in a year’s time and the airline’s operational turnaround was already underway.
He said the airline was in talks with various parties for equity partnership and expected it to be firmed up soon. SpiceJet would launch a redesigned network from February next.
Group Chief Commercial Officer of Tigerair, Alexander Knigge, termed the interline partnership as a “commercially attractive proposition” and a win-win situation for both the airlines.
S.G.K. Kishore, CEO, GHIAL said the partnership reinforces Hyderabad airport’s strong positioning and said efforts were on to make it the preferred transit destination for Indian passengers.
